Gopalgarh violence: CBI quizzes local Cong leader

New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday questioned a local Congress leader in connection with the Gopalgarh riots case in which 10 people of a minority community were killed near Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

The agency called Hanif, father-in-law of MLA Zahida Khan from Kaman in Bharatpur, for questioning and recording his statement at its headquarters, CBI sources said.

Notices have also been issued for Khan to present herself for recorded her statement, they said.

The CBI yesterday recorded the statement of BJP MLA from Nagar in Bharatpur Anita Singh in connection with the case in which 10 Meo Muslims were killed last September in a clash with Gurjars over the ownership of a village land in Gopalgarh.

Following the CBI charge sheet filed in March, the special CBI court in Jaipur directed it to also probe the role of influential people in the region including the MLAs.

The court directed the CBI to investigate the alleged role of MLAs Khan and Singh, along with two other leaders of a particular community and submit a report after the counsel for both the communities pointed fingers at them during arguments.

It was alleged that key witnesses had made statements attributing specific role to these legislators, but the CBI had not carried out investigation against them.

Taking note of the statements made by accused, the special court directed the CBI to investigate role of the two MLAs and the two other persons.